Period Pain Relief

Its Time to Address your Symptoms

You’re in pain and you’ve had enough. You’re hurting & you just want the pain gone.

Before we do anything else, let’s get you some relief from your pain right now and then we can look at some strategies for overcoming it in the long term. Here are some things that you may have around your house that may help to relieve the pain straight away:

1. Hot water bottle or castor oil pack.

Heat to your abdomen stimulates the nervous system and this “overrides” the message of pain that you’re currently getting. Heat also increases blood circulation, thereby decreasing pain as well.

Grab that hot water bottle out of the cupboard and take some chill time. If you can manage getting to the shops, grab some castor oil.

This traditional remedy helps to decrease pain and is also affective in helping fibroids and endometriosis. Note that if you are bleeding really heavily or could be pregnant, then this remedy isn’t for you as castor oil packs increase bleeding.

Simply grab some castor oil from your local pharmacy. Place the castor oil in a pan and heat (but do not boil). Using a cotton cloth, dip into the oil, place on abdomen. Use a plastic bag over the top and then a towel. Lie down and rest.

2. Chamomile tea or Cinnamon.

A good quality chamomile tea may help to relieve cramping. Grab your twinings or liptons chammomile tea if that’s all you have, but if you can go out to the shops, go to the local healthfood store & get a good quality one. The brand “Southern Light Herbs” has excellent quality Chamomile. Cinnamon is also good for period pain, so boiling up some sticks (add some honey for taste) or adding some to your food can also help bring period pain relief. If you have an allergy or are on medications that react with either of these herbs then you need to stay away from them.

3. Meditation.

Grabbing your meditation app or just lie on your bed and focus on your breath. Breath into your abdomen. This creates more oxygen to the area and can help to reduce pain. Visualise yourself in a serene situation. It may be at the beach, or recounting a favorite day

4. Magnesium.

Magnesium helps to reduce stomach cramps and may bring period pain relief. It is a well known muscle relaxant. Taking some magnesium will help to calm your mind as well as your abdomen. Foods that are rich in magnesium include bran, nuts & seeds. To get a high therapeutic dose of Magnesium consider a magnesium supplement. See your naturopath for the best one for you.

5. Be in Nature

John Gray, the author of Men are from Mars Women are from Venus, explains that nature absorbs negativity. Being in nature when you are in pain can have a very healing affect. John Grey talks further in his book “How to Get What you Want and Want What You Have” by saying that water specifically helps to absorb this negative energy. So if you can get to the beach, river or lake, go and sit by the water. If you feel up to it, take a stroll along side the water. You’ll no doubt come away feeling more refreshed and renewed.

6. Chromium for sugar cravings

Chromium is needed for sugar to be taken up into the cells to be burnt up. Many people are deficient in chromium because 35-45% is lost in the process of refining flour. Foods that are rich in chromium include asparagus, apples, cheese, egg yolk, grape juice, lobster, molasses, mushrooms, nuts, oysters, peppers, prunes, raisins, prawns, wheat and yeast.

See a Doctor if symptoms are Extreme or Abnormal.

See your healthcare professional if you are experiencing extreme abdominal pain, or extreme heavy bleeding. If you have abdominal pain that is out of the ordinary, please seek medical advice immediately. You can ring Nurse on Call on 1300 60 60 24 if you are unsure of your symptoms.

But what are you going to do long term?

While you’ve got your hot water bottle or castor oil pack and Chammomile tea, check out this free 17 minute webinar on the causes of period pain and what you can do to help turn your period pain around once and for all.